SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING July 9, 2007 The regular meeting of the San Juan County Commission was held on July 2, 2007 at 9:00 A.M. in the Commission Room at Monticello, Utah Present: Bruce Adams, Chairman Lynn Stevens, Commissioner Norman L. Johnson, County Clerk /Auditor Tammy Gallegos, SJC Administrative Assistant Dianne F. Neuss, SJC Deputy Clerk Absent: Kenneth Maryboy, Vice Chairman Attendees: Bob Bushart, Krisanne Bender, Greg Martin, Chad Bartlett, K.C. Benedict, Dale Parriott, Tim Smith, Keith Utt, Charles DeLorme, Lynn Laws, Darlene Valentine, Greg Adams, David Bronson, Bruce Bunker, Bill and Karen Goez, Howard Randall, Cyndi Eldredge, Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to approve the minutes of July 2, 2007, with one correction. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion and declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Cyndi Eldredge - SJC Human Resources Cyndi reported that the EMT position hiring process will begin again because both candidates who were offered the position turned it down. She also noted that she has not advertised for the Blanding Library Director position as yet because the Library Board would like to review the job description before going forward. They will discuss the job description at their next Board Meeting on Wednesday. Attorney Walter Bird, SJC Human Resources Department, will attend the meeting. Any change related to the position or to job description would need approval by the County Commission before being implemented. Cyndi and Judge Hazleton conducted interviews last week for the position of Justice Court Clerk and the recommendation is to offer the position to Jimi Howell. This is a full time, 32 hour a week, Step 40 position, including benefits. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to approve the recommendation to hire Jimi Howell for the Justice Court Clerk position. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion and declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Howard Randall - SJC Assessor Howard recently purchased a file cabinet for his office and requested Commission approval for the purchase since the cost exceeded $250. The cabinet, including shipping, came to a total of $380.00. This expenditure was included in this year's budget for his department. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made motion to approve the expenditure of $380 for the file cabinet for the Assessor's office. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion and declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Howard suggested that the County may want to consider hiring a "Hearing Officer" later this year who would review disputed property values with property owners before they make an appeal to the Board of Equalization. Many times, after discussing the issues, a property owner will decide that there is no reason to appeal the value of their property. A Hearing Officer would have to be a Certified or General Appraiser and would most likely be paid on a daily basis. Other counties have found employing a Hearing Office to be very beneficial to the process. The Commission agreed that it would be helpful. Howard reported that he made the changes to the property values in Westwater as suggested at a previous Commission Meeting. Because these changes were made after closing the tax rolls, the changes will need approval by the Board of Equalization. Norman Johnson - SJC Clerk/Auditor Norman suggested, due to scheduling issues, that the dates for the Board of Equalization Meetings be changed to August 13th, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and August 20th, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The meetings were originally scheduled for August 6th and 13th. The Commission agreed to the change. Commissioner Stevens will be available on both days and will attend the meetings. Only one Commissioner needs to be present to conduct the meetings. Norman also noted that he will be getting the valuation data finalized today and notices will be sent out. This year, the envelopes will have bold print in order to draw the recipients attention to the notice. Norman also reported that he received official notification from the Lt. Governor's Office that Utah Counties are in charge of the elections in November for the State-wide School Voucher Referendum as well as for elections for City and District officials. San Juan County will receive a total of $31,000 from the State and from cities toward the cost of holding the election and this should cover the expenses incurred. Norman said that he considered a mail-in vote but is unsure with recent issues that have come up in Washington related to voting methods. Polling stations will be set up on the Reservations. Norman will advertise the change in the Commission Meeting Schedule for this month. As previously discussed, there will not be a Commission Meeting on July 16th. Although holding a meeting on July 30th was discussed, the Commission decided against it. K.C. Benedict and Chad Bartlett - Bookmobile Service K.C. Benedict, from the Utah State Library Office, discussed the Bookmobile budget and the formula used to determine the amount of subsidy allocated for each County for Bookmobile services. The allocations are based on population and the medium household income of County residents. SJC was allocated $10,700 based on population and $21,320 based on medium income for a total subsidy of $32,020. This is $18,000 less than was previously allocated. K.C. said the County will also receive a Public Library Development Grant in the amount of $8,100. The amount of this grant increased from the previous $2,000. K.C. reported that the Library Committee used the Governor's Economic Index to determine population and medium income for each county. San Juan County's medium income was determined to be $27,000 per year. A discussion ensued relating to the validity of the information used for the calculations, including a discussion about miles traveled by the one Bookmobile in SJC compared to some counties who have two Bookmobiles and/or combine their miles with other counties. K.C. suggested that this is an issue that needs further consideration. It was noted that the majority of residents in San Juan County are Navajos and the medium income was questioned. Issues such as unemployment and the lack of utilities and internet service on the Reservations , as well as in other rural areas, were not included in the formula. K.C. noted that there are federal funds for providing computers to the Chapters but Commissioner Stevens said that people who don't have transportation or means to get to the Chapters are at a disadvantage. Commissioner Stevens volunteered to take the initiative and try and obtain factual information relating to population and medium income in SJC. A letter will be drafted to the Director of the State Library requesting reconsideration and re-evaluation to try and obtain additional funds for Bookmobile Services. K.C. indicated that she would support the letter of request for reconsideration. K.C. noted that the SJC Bookmobile will receive three new computers and a satellite. The computers are being provided by the State Library Office. Commissioners expressed their appreciation to K.C. for her efforts to obtain funds for the Bookmobile Service. Tammy Gallegos - SJC Administrative Assistant Tammy requested approval for the procurement of two digital camcorders totaling $1,229.93. This expense will be paid from the Homeland Security budget as per Rick Bailey. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to approve the procurement of two digital camcorders in the amount of $1.229.93. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion. Commissioner Bruce Adams declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Tammy presented one building permit for approval and signature. Dale and Donna Slade - 700 East 300 South, Blanding - Residence Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to approve the building permit provided all appropriate signatures are placed. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion and declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Tammy presented a request to reappointment of Garth Skouson for the San Juan Mental Health Board as his term is expired. He previously represented the Bluff area but Susan DeLorme is now filling that slot. If approved, he will now represent the Monticello. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to approve Garth Skouson for reappointment to the San Juan Mental Health Board representing Monticello. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion and declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. An application for the San Juan County Library Board was received from Georgiana Kennedy Simpson. Since the board seat was advertised, it was decided that it would be appropriate to appoint Georgiana Kennedy Simpson to the Library Board. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to approve the appointment of Georgiana Kennedy Simpson for a seat on the SJC Library Board. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion and declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Tammy will get a letter out to Ms. Simpson informing her of her appointment to the board. Bruce Adams, SJC Commission Chair Ordinance No. 2007-07, to Vacate County Road #1251 and Permanently Close the Road to Public Access and Travel, was discussed. It was noted that a Public Hearing was held last week when one individual objected to the closing of the road. Since there is another access road to the public land, it was decided the road could be vacated. Commissioner Lynn Stevens made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2007-07 Vacating County Road #1251 and Permanently Closing the Road to Public Access and Travel. Commissioner Bruce Adams seconded the motion and declared the motion carried by unanimous vote. Ordinance No. 2007-07 ORDINANCE TO VACATE COUNTY ROAD #1251 AND PERMANENTLY CLOSE THE ROAD TO PUBLIC ACCESS AND TRAVEL WHEREAS, County Road #1251 is situated in Long Canyon and runs 0.5 miles due east off of County Road #190 approximately 3.75 miles from the junction of Highway 191 and County Road #190; WHEREAS, County Road #1251 is a state class B road; WHEREAS, it has been requested by the current landowner of the property that County Road #1251 traverses, that the road be vacated because the road only provides access to private property; WHEREAS, pursuant to state law, the "[t]he county governing body exercises sole jurisdiction and control of county roads within the county." Section 72-3-103(4), U.C.A. (1953, as amended) and; WHEREAS, pursuant to state law, "[a] county may by ordinance vacate, narrow, or change the name of a county road without petition or after petition by a property owner." Section 72-3- 108(1), U.C.A. (1953, as amended). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNTY LEGISLATIVE BODY OF SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH, THAT: Due to a petition received from the current landowner of the property that the County Road #1251 traverses and after holding a hearing at 11:00 a.m. on July 2, 2007, to receive comments on the requested closure, this segment shall be vacated and permanently closed to public access and travel. PASSED, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED by the Board of San Juan County Commissioners this 9th day of July, 2007, by the following vote: Those voting aye: Those voting nay: Absent: Board of San Juan County Commissioners _____________________________________ Bruce Adams, Chairman ATTEST: __________________________________ Norman Johnson, County Clerk/Auditor Darlene Valentine - Recreation Funds for Oljato and Monument Valley Darlene Valentine, representing the Oljato and Halchita, summarized the recreation activities taking place for children as well adults in these areas (baseball, softball, t-ball, volleyball camp, gym activities and weight lifting). She noted that many school district employees conduct the recreation and athletic activities and although they are employed by the school district, they are not paid for their services by the School District. She also reviewed some of the fund-raising activities by various community entities and parents. Darlene expressed her frustration in trying to obtain reimbursement from the County for recreation expenditure. It seems she reaches a dead end when the receipts are referred to the Chapters for approval. This problem was brought to the Commission previously and it was recommended that a Recreation Committee be formed. Expenditures could then be approved by the Recreation Committee and submitted by the Committee Chair to Tammy Gallegos, Aging Director, with the required form and receipts for reimbursement. Darlene informed the Commission that a Recreation Committee has been formed and that James Black, a Chapter official is a member. The details of the process were explained by Commissioners and by Tammy. As long as a Chapter Official is a member of the Recreation Committee, in any capacity, the Committee can approve expenditures without submission to the Chapter. Commissioner Bruce Adams will bring this issue up at the next Chapter meeting he attends. Tammy said that each Chapter is allocated approximately $8,000 to be used for recreation. The Commission thanked Darlene for all her efforts in providing recreational activities for children in her area. Open Time and Other Business Bob Bushard, a Bluff resident, inquired about the plans for the restoration of the Bluff Visitor Center. Charles DeLorme advised him that, in addition to the $496,000 requested from the UDOT Enhancement Fund, $50,000 is being provided from the SJC Tourism Infrastructure Fund. The San Juan Foundation, the Hole in the Rock Foundation, and several other entities are also contributors to the restoration project. It was estimated that it will take 1 ½ to 2 years before the funding can be obtained from the enhancement fund but Charlie noted that there are some potential options that may shorten the process. The Bluff Visitor Center, when completed, will most likely be managed by the San Juan Foundation with an oversight board. Firm plans for operation are not in place as yet. Bill and Karen Goez, SJC residents, requested verification regarding their plans to subdivide a six acre parcel of land into three parcels. The parcel is located north of the City of Blanding. Bruce Bunker, SJC Building Inspector, Greg Adams, Assessor's Office, and David Bronson, SJC Surveyor, discussed the issues related to the County's approval of their subdivision plans. State Statutes were also discussed. After extensive discussion, an understanding was reached and the issue was resolved. Dale Parriott, Executive Director of the organization, Ride with Respect, and Tim Smith from the Utah State Parks Service, requested the Commission to consider a plan to place OHV access routes along County roads to provide a link from current OHV routes to the LaSal Mountain Range as well as routes in San Juan County, at its northern boundary, to access the Moab Area. This would allow individuals wishing to travel between Monticello and Moab on off road vehicles to do so. It will also provide access to the La Sal Mountains by OHV. Dale's organization, Ride with Respect, is a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Moab. Dale presented a map indicating the proposed trails along County Roads and a document detailing their proposal. Commissioners referred the proposal to Lynn Laws, SJC Road Superintendent, for his input. Dale explained that he met with Even Lowry and discussed the plan with him. The Commission noted that the BLM would need to approve any plan that impacts BLM property. The Commission discussed changing the time of the start of SJC Commission Meetings back to 10:00 a.m. instead of 9:00 a.m. Now that there are two other meetings scheduled each month in addition to Commission Meetings, it was decided that a later start time would allow more time between meetings as well as more time for travel to the meetings. It was decided that SJC Commission Meetings will begin at 10:00 a.m. starting on August 6, 2007. Commissioner Stevens will notify Rick Bailey that the presentations by engineering firms scheduled for July 23rd are not necessary. The only two engineering firms who applied for the SJC Engineer of Record are the firms who are presently the County's Engineers of Record. The two are: Cramer and Noble and Jones and DeMille. Lynn Laws reported that turning lanes are being put in on Sunny Acres Lane and he would like to offer half the cost for the County's right-of-way. The money would be paid from B-Road funds. The Commission agreed with this decision. Commissioner's Reports Commissioner Adams was out of the County last week. He will leave Wednesday for Richmond, Virginia to attend the NACO Conference. He will return on July 19th and will attend the UAC Summer Workshop on July 20th. Commissioner Stevens will be out of the County this week. He noted that a Transportation District Board Meeting will be held on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Rick Bailey plans to attend the meeting. A notification was received that the Four County Meeting in Glen Canyon will be held on September 28th. They requested a response letting them know who will attend. Tammy will let them know that Commissioner Stevens plans to attend. Meeting Adjourned: 10:55 a.m. Check # Payee Amount 39530 Amerigas-Blanding 468.18 39531 Amerigas-Green River 295.71 39532 Asbury, Billina 55.00 39533 Bailey, Richard M. 536.00 39534 Baker Sanitation, Inc. 52.00 39535 BW Carriage House 331.05 39536 Blanding City 66.99 39537 Void - Information Only Check 0.00 39538 Blue Mountain Foods 721.74 39539 Blue Mountain Meats Inc. 53.25 39539 Blue Mountain Meats Inc. (15.86) 39540 Blue Mountain Panorama 260.10 39541 Bluff Arts Festival 2,500.00 39542 Bluff Service Area 1,380.00 39543 Bob Barker Company, Inc. 577.23 39544 Bound Tree Medical, LCC 185.50 39545 Bradford, J.J. 78.00 39546 Bradford, Steve 28.00 39547 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 443.58 39548 CEU- San Juan Campus 50.00 39549 Chevron and Texaco Card Serv. 643.53 39550 County Information Systems Co. 1,500.00 39551 Crystal Inn 490.00 39552 DeLorme, Charlie 208.34 39553 Desert Mountain Corporation 20,523.50 39554 Div. Occupational & Prof. Lic 263.46 39555 Duckwall - Alco Stores, Inc. 55.93 39556 Void - Information Only Check 0.00 39557 Empire Electric Assoc. Inc. 4,208.72 39558 Equipment Watch 695.00 39559 Factory Parts Express 553.29 39560 Four Corners Welding & Gas 70.16 39561 Franklin Covey Co. 38.65 39562 Genevieve Mark 680.00 39563 Globalstar USA 104.36 39564 Goldstar Products Inc. 478.33 39565 Grand Valley Foods 427.85 39566 Hilton Salt Lake City Center 545.40 39567 Holiday Inn-Price 180.03 39568 Holiday, Henry 560.00 39569 iina' ba' Inc. 22,761.48 39570 Johnson, Joann 560.00 39571 Johnson, Leif M. 750.00 39572 Johnson, Norman L. 500.00 39573 Joyce Guymon Smith 1,541.46 39574 Kenneth Maryboy 500.00 39575 L.N. Curtis & Sons 1,420.67 39576 La Sal Store 93.63 39577 Lacy, B. Mike 104.00 39578 LaMonica's Restaurant 72.10 39579 Lee, Earl R. 30,000.00 39580 Lehi, Elroy 560.00 39581 Line Camp Steakhouse 36.00 39582 madden preprint media 16,872.50 39583 McDonald, Ron 243.96 39584 Meadow Gold Dairies, Inc. 176.00 39585 Mexican Water Chapter 492.99 39586 Shane Sheppard 80.00 39587 Monsen Engineering Company 460.39 39588 Montezuma County 17.16 39589 Montezuma Well Service, Inc. 849.94 39590 Montgomery, Rachelle 30.16 39591 Monticello City 1,352.50 39592 Void - Information Only Check 0.00 39593 Monticello Mercantile 174.98 39594 Motor Parts 10.69 39595 Musselman Plumbing, Inc. 68.33 39596 Myron Corp. 361.84 39597 Newman Traffic Signs 197.98 39598 Nicholas & Company 219.77 39599 Office Etc. / Radio Shack 404.22 39600 Orkin Inc. 96.84 39601 Otis Elevator Company 618.00 39602 Pitney Bowes, Inc. 265.46 39603 Precis Communications 40.37 39604 Quill Corporation 238.69 39605 Qwest 51.64 39606 Redd's True Value 34.87 39607 San Juan Building Supply, Inc. 78.99 39608 San Juan Health Care Services 603.34 39609 San Juan Record 186.00 39610 SemMaterials L.P. 8,094.92 39611 SJC Inmate Account 1,706.12 39612 Steven C. Black, CPA 90.00 39613 Sysco Intermountain Food Svc. 313.40 39613 Sysco Intermountain Food Svc. (32.67) 39614 Tapaha, Judy 560.00 39615 Tate, Laverne 96.00 39616 Tool Warehouse.Net 619.25 39617 Tri-Hurst Construction inc. 36,864.73 39618 UPS 48.58 39619 Utah Assoc.of County Treasurer 50.00 39620 Utah State Treasurer 14,052.36 39621 Verizon Wireless 92.48 39622 Wal-Mart Community 14.12 39623 Wal-Mart Community 8.88 39624 Wilcox, Robert J. 78.00 39625 Yazzie, Karen 560.00 39626 Young, Dayna 58.20 39627 Youngs 53.80 39628 Blue Mountain Meats Inc. 18.80 39629 Nicholas & Company 225.87 39630 Quill Corporation 508.60 ___________________________________ ______________________________ Bruce B. Adams, SJC Commission Chair Dianne F. Neuss, SJC Deputy Clerk